Classical vs Contemporary Pilates: How the Certifications Differ and How to Choose

By Chen Leibovich, founder of Go Pilates Academy. Chen has taught Pilates for 10 years, ran two studios of her own, and built an NPCP Verified teacher training program with 700+ certified graduates in 30+ countries.

Once you start looking at teacher training programs, you’ll see two words again and again: classical and contemporary. Some programs present themselves as the original method. Others talk about modern exercise science. So what is the real difference in classical vs contemporary Pilates, and does it matter for your certification?

It matters, but probably not in the way you expect. Neither approach is “real” Pilates and the other fake. Both come from the same man and the same repertoire. They differ in how strictly they keep his original order and how freely they adapt it. This guide explains both lineages fairly, how their certifications differ, and how to choose the one that fits the way you want to teach.

Where both lineages come from

Joseph Pilates was born in Germany in 1883. He called his system Contrology. In New York he became known among dancers for helping them recover from injuries. He published Return to Life Through Contrology in 1945 and taught until his death in 1967.

He didn’t leave behind a single formal teacher training program. His method spread through the people who studied with him, often called the Elders, including Romana Kryzanowska, Kathleen Stanford Grant, Ron Fletcher, Eve Gentry, Carola Trier and Lolita San Miguel. Each of them carried the work forward a little differently. Some kept close to the exact sequence they had learned. Others began adapting it for the clients in front of them. Those two paths grew into what we now call classical and contemporary Pilates.

What is classical Pilates?

Classical Pilates aims to preserve the method as Joseph Pilates taught it. In practice that usually means:

• A set order. Exercises follow an established sequence, and clients progress through beginner, intermediate and advanced versions of the original repertoire.
• The original apparatus. Classical studios typically use equipment built to Joseph Pilates’ specifications and add few or no modern props.
• Flow and pace. Sessions move briskly from one exercise to the next, and the transitions are part of the work.
• A clear lineage. Teachers can usually trace their training back to Joseph Pilates through a chain of teachers.

The strength of the classical approach is its depth and consistency. The system was designed as a whole, and learning it as a whole teaches you why each exercise sits where it does.

What is contemporary Pilates?

Contemporary Pilates keeps the principles and the core repertoire but updates them with modern exercise science. STOTT PILATES, for example, describes itself as a contemporary approach to Joseph Pilates’ original method, developed with physical therapists and sports medicine professionals. It emphasizes ideas like neutral spine and postural alignment. Typical features include:

• Flexible order. The instructor chooses and sequences exercises based on the client’s goals and needs.
• Modifications and variations. Exercises are adapted for injuries, pregnancy, older adults, athletes or beginners.
• Props and updated equipment. Bands, small balls, foam rollers and rings are common, alongside the main apparatus.
• Anatomy-led cueing. Teaching draws on current biomechanics and rehabilitation research.

The strength of the contemporary approach is adaptability. It’s well suited to mixed-level group classes, reformer studios and clients with very different bodies and goals.

Classical vs contemporary Pilates at a glance

	Classical	Contemporary
Exercise order	Set sequence from the original system	Chosen by the instructor for the client
Repertoire	Original exercises and their levels	Original exercises plus variations and modifications
Equipment	Original-style apparatus, few props	Same core apparatus, often with props and updated designs
Teaching focus	Preserving the method as a whole	Applying the method with modern exercise science
Typical training format	Comprehensive apprenticeship, around 600 hours	Often modular: Mat, Reformer, then Comprehensive

In real studios, the line is often blurrier than this table suggests. Many contemporary teachers still teach large parts of the original order, and many classical teachers adjust for a client with a bad knee.

What classical Pilates teacher training looks like

Classical Pilates teacher training is usually comprehensive from the start. You learn mat and all the major apparatus as one system, rather than one piece of equipment at a time. Two examples from established classical programs:

• Power Pilates lists a 600-hour comprehensive program. It breaks down into lecture and exam hours, teaching practice, self-practice and observation (156 hours each for the last three). It has mat prerequisites and a suggested completion time of 6 to 9 months.
• The Pilates Center at Goucher College runs a 600-hour Romana’s Pilates program. It has three stages (basic, intermediate and advanced), each with a seminar, supervised independent study, private lessons with a trainer and an assessment.

Expect a long apprenticeship with many hours of observation and self-practice in a studio. That’s a real strength if you live near a classical studio and want deep immersion in the original system. If you need to keep working full-time, or there’s no classical studio near you, it can be harder to fit in.

How a classical Pilates certification differs from a contemporary one

The biggest differences are structure and focus, not the national credential. The National Pilates Certification Program (NPCP) accepts graduates of any school that offers the required training. Its comprehensive exam requires a program of at least 450 hours. So both classical and contemporary graduates can sit the NPCP exam if their program meets those requirements. Always check this directly with any program you consider.

• Entry point: classical programs usually go straight to comprehensive. Contemporary programs often let you start with Mat or Reformer and add the other apparatus later.
• What you’ll teach first: contemporary graduates often start in reformer group studios. Classical graduates often start in classical studios teaching privates and small groups on the full apparatus.
• How you’ll think: classical training teaches you to deliver the system faithfully. Contemporary training teaches you to adapt and design programs around the client.

How to choose between classical and contemporary Pilates

Ask yourself these questions honestly:

1. Where do I want to teach? Look at the studios near you. If most are reformer group studios, contemporary training will match what they hire for. If you love a classical studio, ask what training they look for.
2. Who are my future clients? Mixed-level groups, rehab clients, athletes and prenatal clients often benefit from contemporary modifications. Clients who want the traditional system may prefer classical.
3. How do I learn best? Some people do best in a long studio apprenticeship. Others need a modular, flexible format they can fit around work.
4. Which teacher do I trust? The quality of your trainer matters more than the label. Take classes in both styles before you decide.
5. Does it lead where I want to go? Check how many hours are included, whether the program prepares you for the NPCP exam, and how much live feedback you’ll get on your teaching.

How Go Pilates Academy approaches it

To be clear about where we stand: Go Pilates Academy teaches a contemporary approach, not a classical certification. Our method, The Flow Method™, is grounded in the original repertoire. You’ll learn the exercises Joseph Pilates created and the reasoning behind them, taught with modern anatomy and modifications for real clients. We put special emphasis on what classical teachers have always valued too: seamless transitions and flow.

You can start with Mat or Reformer and build up, and your hours carry over if you upgrade. Our 450-hour Comprehensive certification covers all apparatus and makes you eligible for the NPCP comprehensive exam. Our online Pilates teacher training includes live 1:1 mentoring, so a real teacher watches you teach. If you’re unsure which path suits you, book a free advisor call. We’ll tell you honestly if a classical program would suit you better.

Frequently asked questions

Is classical Pilates better than contemporary Pilates?

Neither is better. They’re two respected ways of teaching the same method. The right one depends on your clients, where you want to work and the teacher you train with.

Can a contemporary instructor teach classical Pilates?

A contemporary instructor knows much of the original repertoire, but teaching in a classical studio usually requires classical training in that studio’s lineage. Many instructors take classical workshops later to deepen their understanding.

Does the NPCP exam favor classical or contemporary training?

The NPCP accepts graduates of any school that provides the required training, and its comprehensive exam requires a program of at least 450 hours. Check the NPCP website for current eligibility details.

Are most reformer studio classes classical or contemporary?

Many group reformer studios in the US teach a contemporary style, with flexible sequencing, modifications and often props. Classical studios do exist, and they usually present themselves clearly as classical.

Ready to map out your path from choosing a style to your first class? Read our guide on how to become a Pilates instructor.

Related guides

• The NPCP exam: a complete guide
• Mat vs Reformer Pilates certification
• Is online Pilates certification worth it?